Smithsonian selects Nebraska City for inaugural program

NEBRASKA CITY – The Morton-James Public Library in Nebraska City is one of 16 libraries in the nation to participate in the Smithsonian Institution’s inaugural Rural Library Cohort.

As part of the year-long partnership, the Nebraska City library will have access to Smithsonian Associates presentations and expert-led webinars, as well as pre-recorded Smithsonian programs and virtual lectures.

A press release says the initiative's strategic focus is to build and enrich a national culture of learning. Smithsonian staff will convene cohort meetings.

Librarian Denise Davis said the library will have access to Smithsonian Associates resources from this September to August of 2027.

Davis: “We will be offering access to this programming in the library in real time, when they are offered at the Smithsonian Associates, as well as perhaps additional sessions.”

The Nebraska City library was invited to apply as an inaugural national cohort.

Davis: “They were looking for libraries in rural communities and they knew they could only offer it to a select number of libraries since it’s an initial pilot program they haven’t done before and they became aware of our library.”

Davis said there is opportunity for at least 12 virtual Smithsonian programs bringing world-renowned educational opportunities to Nebraska City.